Friday’s Bumper Sticker
Not That
I’m not that old when you look at the seas
not that young when you look at me
I know I’m male, maybe five on a scale
but I don’t know what that means
I’m not that white when you look at snow
not that dark when you look at me
not that dumb when you see a rock
not that smart when you talk to me
I’m not that bright when you look at the sun
not that companionable when you’re looking for fun
not that simple when you add one and one
not that easy when you take away one
not that worldly in the sum of my parts
not that able, strong, or smart
not that forgiving in what I’ve seen and heard
not that judgmental in the lessons learned
Yellows
Wash me in yellow
the bright color of hopeful change
spritz me with marigolds
press me to get out of my lane
Soak me in yella
optimism and light
help me see past the madness and badness
and pursue what’s right
Drown me in yeller
make it an ocean of chance
a place where all are happy
and there’s singing and dance
Coat me in yellow
let it cover me all
like dazzling leaves on a tree
in the bright sunshine of fall
The Waves
Stressed and blessed
encouraged and discouraged
he’s riding the waves of the day
Angry and numb
frustrated and feeling dumb
she’s riding the waves of the day
cascading and rising
falling and sliding
the waves lift you up and
take you under
man and woman
no matter skin or order
all of us ride the waves of the day
Sunday’s Bumper Sticker
I saw a variation of this on my sister’s car. She’s a fit runner. I can’t keep up.
So, Traveling
I haven’t flown in about a year. It’s surprising how much has changed at the various airports and airlines. Most critically, I let my TSA Pre-check expire. Now I must wait in lines, strip down to my boxers, flash my privates, and share everything that I have to eat with anyone in a five foot circle before going through security.
One thing that hasn’t changed are my people. I don’t know them. I hope they’re my tribe. You’ve probably seen them, one arm bent at the elbow, a cuppa coffee extended in front of them like a bumper, marching their bags in search of. Soon as localized, I found a Peet’s — YES! PEET’S — and purchased a coffee.
High airport prices haven’t changed. $3.19 for a small coffee. Yikes. If it wasn’t a bonafide medical emergency, I may have passed. But caffeine was calling and the sky was falling…
It was needed, though. Looking forward to another thirteen hours across land and through air before reaching the final place.
Cheers
A Little Off
Batting his ears, he wriggled his eyes, crossed his nostrils, and lowered his chest to think, popping another leaf into his belly-button as he did. Something was different today, but he couldn’t put a toe on it.
Michael Seidel, writer 